Underfeed stoker



MayZG, 1925. ,539,369

t M. RATEL UNDERFEED STOKER Filed Aug. 29, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet l M. RATEL UNDERFEED STOKER May 26, 1925 Filed Aug. 29', 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 vvuwnffofo 35,12? ,www-I atten/w26 May 26, 1925.

M. RATEL l UNDERFEED STOKER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 29, 1921 61H01 new May 26, 1925 M. RATEL UNDERFEED sToKER' '4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Aug. 29, 1921 ANW Syvum/tow (la/MMM firm/mm 'the twyer .a-ir inlets.

lfeeding mechanism arrangediii each retortso as to operate in the -frjeshfuell close to A further' obfect of' this invention is to provide a more even distribution of fuel to the fuell bed by the use of a plurality of fuelfeeding members in each retort aiidnadja'centv to the respective twyersf' l further object of.' this invention: is'ito provide improved mechanism for interrupt# ing rthe strokes of tlie fuel-feeding menfb Y bers to facilitate agitation of the fuel bedlf A -f urtherobject.of this invention is to provide, in" combination with fuel-feeding.-

mechanism of the type referred to, fuel` crushing and ash-ejecting mechanism at the bottom of the inclined fuel bedspport and provided with a combustinfsupportingor oxidizing fluid supply whereby complete.V combustionA of the fuel atthe bottom of the inclined fuel bed 'supportis effected. A further ob'ect of this invention isto provide, 'in .combination with an vautomatic underfeed stoker of the type referred to, 'recipro`cating crushing and ash-collecting and discharging: means at the, bottom of the fuel bed support, 'l together preferably with a.

combustion or oxidizing fluid supply for the material operated upon `by` said crushing mechanism.l A

Other objects relate-to the provision of anautomatick underfeed 'stoker which is simple 1n construction, efficient 1n operation, 1n-

expensive to maintain, andv economical in its. use of fuel.

Broadly stated, the invention comprises an automatic underfeed 'kstoker having a series 4of alternatingtwyers and retorts or troughs both arranged to provide an inclined fuel bedV support, whereby thefuel' and solid products of combustion are fed. downwardly with the aid ofavity, a plu-4 rality of fuel-feeding mem ers disposed within each retort and operatively connected with thee-main power shaft'of the stoker,

said fuel-feeding members operating in the fresh fuell belowL thejl twyer air-inlets and from said inclined fuel bed support,4 said` formed and arrangedto exert a plowing ac- Ation onthe-lfuelv andv effect even distribution thereof to maintain a fuelbed of substantially uniform thickness. A'receivin grate or grates are preferably provided at t e bot tom of the inclinedfuel bed supportv lfor receiving the fuel and solidV products ofcombustion from the inclined fuel bed support proper, said receiving grate or grates'desir-ably having means for regulating the air supply therethrough. Reciprocating crush ing'mechanism is also preferably provided for pulverizing the unburned fuel, lclinkers, and ashes passing over said receivingl grates4 crushing mechanism being* operatively connected with the fuel-.feeding mechanism and having adjacent thereto a combustion-supi porting or oxidizing fluid supply forthe-'ma- 'terial delivered thereto. Ash-collecting"andv discharginglmeans are also shown at the lower side of the inclined fuel bed support whereby` the ashes and refuse may be effectually handled forl dumping into the ash pit.

The invention is capablev of receiving a varietyof mechanical expressions, some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings,` but it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustrationA onlyand are not to be construed as' defining the limits of theinvention, reference being had tothe appended claims for that pur ose.

In' sai drawings :-v l' F ig.r 1 is a longitudinalsection through an'. automatic underfeed stoker embodying the present invention;

' Fig'r2 is aplamview of the'stoker shown in Fig. l with the"r fuel hoppers removed; Fig. 3 is a frontelevation of one of thesecondary fuel feeding members shown in i022' f l F'igjfl is a side elevation' of the secondary fuel feeding member shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 isa side elevation of another secondary fuel feeding member which may be- .another automatic (Stoker embodying` t e 'present invention showing'another secondary fuel-feeding mechanism;

` Fig. 10A is a transverse section on the line 10-10of Fig.. 9;

Fig. 1 1 is a vertical section showing still another secondary fuel feeding mechanism embodying .the present invention, which may be employed as-the second-ary' fuel feedingmechanis-m shown in 'the embodiment lof Figs. 9 and 10; and" Fig. 12 is a fragmental side elevation of the secondary fuel-feeding mechanism shown in`Fig`.11. """1 VThe p-resent invention is applicable toa wide 1 variety of boilers and forms of. furany particular' type of boiler construction the details of the latterhave not been illustrated.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and '2,'

the automatic Stoker consists of a series Aof alternating and inclined fuel retorts or troughs 1 and twyers 24 of any suitable construction. Said `twyers and retorts or naces and, therefore, as it is not limited'to troughs accordingly provide' downwardly inclined fuel-supporting surfaces whereby the advancing vmovement of the fuel bed4 4is effected with the aid of gravity. The fuel is fed to the retorts from thel hoppers 3 by a plurality of main fuel-feeding members 4,

-. one at the upper end of each retort, and feeding of the fuel from the retorts and even distribution of the fuel to the entire fuel bed axis disposed in different vertical planes andy the secondary fuel-feeding members preferably have the form of plow-shares and eX'- ert a plowing-action on the fuel. As shown in Fig. 1, the secondary fuel-feeding members may be of rogressively decreasing feeding capacity anc are of progressively decreasing size and arranged in stepped rela-- tion within the retort, and, as shown more 'particularly in Figs. 3 and 4 inclusive, said secondary fuel-feeding members may be individually formed with steps or serrations which operate in the fuel adj acentrthe lowerlmost twyer air inlets. As shown in Fig. 5,

the serrations of secondary fuel feeding melnber 5 are differently formed as respects the serrations of secondary. fuel feeding member 5. The compound pushers comprised by secondary fuel-feeding members 5 are fixed or secured in any suitable manner to rods 6, and said mai-n fuel-feeding mem-- bers or rams 4 are operatively connected to the cranks 7 of a power'shaft 8 by connecting rods 9. Said power shaft may be driven by any suitable source of power, and any other suitable means may be used for con` necting-the main fuel-feeding members or rams with the source of power, such as a steam piston or eccentrics arranged inusuit-A able spaced relation on the power shaft and strap connections. The rods 6 are slidably mounted in suitable openings 10 and 11 at the ends of each retort or trough, and at the front ends said rods are provided with'a plurality of holes 12 in which may be arranged pegs or pins 13 and 13 forming stops which are engaged respectively by a depending lug 14 of the-main fuel-feeding member or ram 4, whereby said secondary -fuel-feeding members are reciprocated to feed the fuel from the retort to the inclined fuel bed. By moving the pins `13 and 13', the strokes. of the compound pushers comprised by secondary I'la fuel-feeding members 5 may be varied vwith respect to the Astrokes of the main fuel-feed -v I ingmembers or 'rams 4. The angle of infclination of the twyers 2 is shown as greater-1 I than that of the retorts or troughs 1,l and as the secondary fuel-feeding members are re` ciprocated, they will move the fu'e'l in both.-

substantially horizontal and ventic-aldirections owing to the inclination of the line of".

travel of said members, thus imparting agitation and an undulatory-movement to the entire mass of fuel on the fuel bed.- Any other suitable mechanism may be provided for driving the compound pushers. for ex- -I' ample cams or eccentrics.cooperating-with said pushers and arranged in suitably spaced relation on a driving shaft, or a crank shaft and connecting rods cooperating with said compound p ushers. Instead of a plurality of main fuel-feeding members or rams, a single ram may be provided and driven any suitable mechanism. y

' In the embodiment of the present inven. tion above referred to, undulatory and cut-" ting or shearing movements of the entire mass of fuel are effected by so articulating the main fuel-feeding members with the i power shaft 8 that alternate'main fuel-feeding members will' be moved in opposite directions and no two adjacent main fuel-feeding members can simultaneously move in the same direction throughout theirrespcctive strokes (Fig. 2). The secondary fuel-feeding members in successive retorts'will, tliere-` fore, have successive advancing movements, and in alternate retorts the secondary fuelfeeding members will be reciprocated 1n opposite directions. Furthermore, the secondary fuel-feeding members in any two adja- Acent retorts cannot move simultaneously in the lsame direction throughout their respective strokes. I

Means are preferably provided for automatically connecting and disconnecting the compound pushers during the forward movement thereof to effect cutting or a shearing movement of the entire mass of fuel, and, in the form shown, said means comprises a` stop member 15 'pivotally mounted in the path of travel of the depending lug 14 andjournaled vin suitable bearings in the lower ends of and between a v pair of depending brackets 16 and '17 secured in any suitable'manner to the rods' (l, near the outer ends thereof respectively. Secured to one side ofthe stop member 154 in any suitable manner is a rod 18 provided at the -outer end thereof with a roller 19 travelling ing forward movement of 'the .main fuel# feeding member, thereby moving the secondary fuel-feeding members forward fora cervtain distance. At any suitable point, the

upper guide 2O is terminated so that, during ico forward movement of the secondary fuelfeeding members, the roller 19 escapes and the stop member is depressed rearwardly aboutthe axis 22 by the lug 14, thereby disconnecting and interrupting movement of the secondary fuel-feeding members, after which the latter are returned to the end of their forward stroke bylengagement of the lug 14 with the pegs or pins 13. After thelug 14 passes over the Astop member, the rod 18 and roller 19 will act as a counterweight to bring the stop member back to its normal vertical position, the roller 19 then resting on the lower guide 21. While the lug 14 is in engagement with the stop member to move the secondary fuel-feeding members` placed on the rods 6 at the same distance from the forward ends thereof, so that the compound pushers or Secondary fuel-feeding members will be inalinement during the rearward movement thereof.

On` rearward movement of the main p fuel-feeding member or ram 4, the stop member is depressed by the lug 14, the stop member turning vabout its axis in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 8.

After the lug 14 passes over the stop member, said lug engages the pins'13, thereby i moving the secondary fuel-feeding members rearwardly,rthe stop member being returned to its..normal vertical` position by a coil I spring 25, the respective ends of which are ffmfsecuredin any suitable manner to the outer ends of the shoulder 23 and abutment 24.

In the present embodiment of thev inven- --tion, the' stoker is provided at the lower side of the inclined fuel bed with a stationary' receiving grate or grates 26- forming a conf Said receiving tinuation'of the inclined fuel bed and over whichvpass the products of combustion and unburned fuel from'the inclined fuel bed.

` grate or grates may be ofany t suitable form and, if desired, movable in any desired manner by any suitable mechanism. The receiving grate or grates and the inclined fuel bed support both may be provided with any suitable combustion-supporting or `oXi dizing fluid supply, shown in the Vform of a f y main -conduit 27 which communicates with a conduit 28 leading to the under sideof the inclined fuel bed support and grates and through which the combustion-supporting or oxidizing fluid is blown and the supply thereof regulated by` any suitable means in the usual manner. Said receiving grate or grates maybe provided with means for regulatingithe supply of combustion-supporting l Huid as shown in the formof' a damper 29 journaled in any suitable manner.l in vthe framework of thestokebelow the fuelbed y support and said; grate, .and operatedjn, any

suitable manner.

The crushing mechanism embodying thepresent invention.'comprises a plurality of hollow crushingmembers or rams 30 slid'- ably mounted between transversely'lextending conduits 31 and' '32"provided, respectively, with apertures 33 andl 34, said conduits havin a' combustion-su porting or l oxidized fluid supply in the crm vof. air, steam, humid air, saturated steam, or combinations thereof, which .is-'forcedv in the form of jets through said 'a-perturesin, any

suitable manner for Contact with the ma. terial delivered tothe fuel-crushing'mechanism. The combustion-supporting fluid coming in contact with thekburning'clinkers will dissociate with the subsequent formation of combustible gases, and, moreover,

cause disaggregation of the mass of clinkers,"-

whereby easy' crushingof the same will' be facilitate-d. The lsupplyof combustion-supporting fluid totheepulverized material will -insure'complete combustion of unburned particles of fuel liberated by the vcrushing ofthe elinkers. Each crushing member or ram 30 isreciprocated by means of links 35, 35", 3 5", and 35"` and 'levers 35d and 35 pivotally'k connecting them` with the rami". 4.- Crusher,- mechanism vis further preferab1y. combined with suitable` ash-dischargingll means in the formof a plurality of recip- SaidI rocating grates 36 for discharging-the ashes,

and solid products of combustion. As shown t l in the ligure, each grate 36 is' supportedon rollersy 37 mounted ona suitable framework 38 ositi'oned vertically below the fuelcrus ing mechanism. Said grate is pro vided at the rear thereof with Van enlarged portion forming a ram or ejector 39, the forward face of whichmay be' indented to form steps as clearly shown inthe drawings.- Said grate is given-a reciprocating motion ina direction opposite to that of the fuel-crushing member or ram 30, the former being pivotally connected with the links 35b which 11F;-

1s moved by the main fuel-feeding member 4. This opposite. directiorof movement of the grates 36 and the crushing members or rams 30 providesfor a continuous -supporting,

.crushingand ejecting of the material and al-y 130 l lows the same to completely absorb the combustion-supporting. or oxidizing fluid so as to completely consume the unburned particles of fuel before ejection ofthe pulverized material by the grate and ram 39.l -`The rear- 12 ward movementof the grate is faccommo dated by a chamber forming part ofthe rear wall of the 'furnacafandgsald Wallis also rovided with-achamber or conduit form- 'mg apart of the wall'above the? ash-eject- 150 ing grate and through which combustionsupporting or oxidizing fluid may be c1r- `culated in any suitable mannerand ejectedl rocating grates and, as. shown, the pair of rods connected with the main fuel-feeding members are provided with a plurality .of apertures 35' whereby the peg or pin 35,

which' extends through a suitable aperture .in the lug 14 andalined apertures insaid rods-35,- may be movedto engage in any of the apertures 35', asdesired. Figs. 9, 10, 11andl2 illustrate another automatic underfeed stoker embodying the present ninvention, comprising a main grate composed of a series of twyers 41 of any suitable construction successively diminishing in elevation from-a medial fore and aft line toward the sides of the furnace, so asto provide a grate of the gravity-feed type, said twyers being separated by fuel retorts 42 at and on both sides of said medial line. Said troughs or retorts are shown as of successively decreasing lcross-section,` but they may he ofsuccessivelyvdeq'easing Width, successively decreasing depth, or both. The fuelis supplied 'to the grate from the hopper 43 by fuel-feeding devices eflecting'aneven` distribution of the fuel to maintain a fuel bed of substantially uniform thickness. Said devices preferably comprise a main fuelfeeding member 44 atthe outer end ofeach retort and one or'more compound pushers in the retor-t, Figs. ll and l2 showing a set or plurality of compound pushers in the retort laterally disposed with respect to each other. The compound pushers have their longitudinal axes disposed in different vertical planes and each compound pusher comprises a plurality7 of oscillating or vertically mov- -ing secondary fuel-feeding members disposed within each retort.

Sai-d main fuelfeeding` member may be actuated in any suitable way as by crank mechanism from the main power shaft 46, and the secondary fuelfeeding members 45, which as shown areA edge-shaped in the vertical sense, are pivotally connected at their forwarden'ds in any suitable manner with a reciprocating member or plate 47, providing a bottom for the retort and slidably mounted in groves at 'the lower-ends of the side walls 48 of saidretort. The reciprocating plate 47 extends beyond the forward wall of the furnace and is bifurcated to provide a pair `of rods 49-each having a plurality of apertures 50 and between which depends a Vlug 51 im tegrally formed on of themain fuel-feeding member and adapted to engage pegs or pins 52 and 52' inserted in the apertures 50 for imparting reciprocating motion to the plate 47. "The secondary fuel-feeding members or pushers of the device shown in Fig. l, the stop mechanism shown in Figs. 6-8, or

both, may be used in the. device shown in Fig. 9. v

In addition to the horizontal feeding motion imparted to the secondary fuel-feeding members, vertical and oscillating motion is also imparted to the latter', the successive fuel feeding members` preferably being moved in opposite directions during their translatory movement, by means of rods 53 pivotally connected in any suitable manner attheir upper ends with the secondary fuel feeding members and bifurcated to receive rollers 54 suitably Ajournaled in the bifurcations of said rods and each engaging a cam V55 disposedadjacent to the retort and preferably below the Same. While a separate cam may be provided for each secondary fuel feeding member 45, the eamsare preferably constituted by a sinuous groove or slot formed in a guide bar 56 positioned verti` cally below the slidable plate 47 and secured to the furnace structure in any suitable manner., i

In the Vform shown in Figs. 11 and 12, agitation of the fuel bed is obtained by a set of compound pushers arranged side by side,

in the retort 42'.- .The compound pushers,

here shown as two in number, are comprised by a plurality of secondary fuel feeding members 45', 45" pivotally connected at their forward ends with reciprocating plate 47', the laterally adjacent secondary' fuel feeding members and the successive secondary fuel feeding members which extend lon- .gitudinally of -the retort 48', both preferably having vertical or oscillating movement in opposite directions.' The construction of the secondary fuel-feeding members and operating mechanisn'i therefor isidentical with that flown in Figs. 9 and l0, except that two compound pushers and operating mechanism therefor are provided, the cams 55', 55" preferably being constituted by simuous grooves or slots in the two guide bars 5G', 56"- and having relatively opposite curvatures whereby laterally adjacent fuel feed-- ing members of the compound pushers and 'successive fuel feeding members, of the same to receive rollers 54'` 54" suitabl ',ournalled vin thel bifurcations of said rods and engag- 55".' `The stroke ofthe secondary fuel-feeding members,`in each case, m-ay be varied ing in thesinuous grooves forming cams 55',-

. support in the form shown, at either side thereof, is a receiving grate or grate 57 overl which pass the ashes and unburned fuel from the inclined fuel bed proper. Combustion-supporting or oxidizing iiuid is suplied to said fuel bed support and said grates in an suitable manner as by forcing saidm fluid 1n the kusual manner through a main conduit 58 communicating with a chamber 59 .below ,said fuel bed. The supply of combustion-supporting or oxidizing fluid to the receiving grate or grates-,57 maybe regulated by suitable dampers 6() mounted. in the framework of the stoker and operated in any suitable manner. The side walls of the furnace are reduced to form a housing for the Crusher mechanism at both sides of the fuel bed, said .Crusher mechanism comprising hollow plungers or rams 6l supported on suitable rollers 62 mounted on the walls of the furnace. Said fuel-crushin members or rams are reciprocated by muti ated gears 63 having engagement with racks 64 on the sides of the fuel-crushing members or rams, the gears 63 bein keyed to shafts 65 operated by any suita le mechanism which may be. operativel connected with the main power shaft o the stoker. As clearly shown, the inclined fuel bed supportand grates are arranged in spaced relation with thefurnace wall to provide discharge openings for the refuse or ashes, and below said openings are positioned receiving plates 66 pivotally mounted on the furnace walls in any suity able manner and having curved toothed brackets 67 pivotally connected therewith, the teeth of said brackets being adapted to engage stops or detents 68 wherebythe size of the refuse or ash discharge openings may be regulated as desired. Said receiving lates are arranged to cooperate with the nel-crushing members or rams 61 whereby, after the slag, ashes, and clinkers are crushed, the same are pushed over the receiving plates 66 by the ycrushing members ternating stationary twyers and fuel retorts or troughs, a main-fuel feeding membervfor atively connected with the main fuelfeed-y ing member, said compound pushers each .comprising a plurality of secondary fuel feeding members.

ternating stationary twyers and fuel retorts or troughs, a main fuel feeding member for eachretort, and a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in each retort and operatively connected with the main fuel feeding member, said compound pushers each comprising a plurality of vertically movable secondary fuel feeding members. 3. In an automatic stoker, a series of alternating stationary twyers and fuel retorts or troughs, a main fuel feeding member for each' retort, and a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in each retort and each comprising secondary fuel feeding members of progressively decreasing capacity so as to feed progressively decreasing quantities of fuel to the fuel bed.

4. In an automatic stoker, a plurality of fuel retorts or troughs, twyers alternating therewith, a main fuel feeding memberfor each retort, a set of compound` pushersl disposed side by side in each retort, and means .for adjusting the strokes of said compound pushers with respect to the main fuel feeding members.

5. In an automatic Stoker, a series of alternating stationary twyers and yfuel retorts or troughs providing a fuel bed support, a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in each retort and. each comprising a plurality of vertically movable secondary fuel feeding members, and a grate disposed adjacent to saidfuel bed support.

6. In an automatic Stoker, a series of alternating stationary twyers and fuel retorts or troughs providing afuel bed-support, a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in each retort and each comprising a plurality of vertically movable secondary fuel feeding members','and crushing mechanism disposed adjacent to said fuel bed support.

l71 In an automatic stoker, a main fuel feeding member, a secondary fuel feeding member, and driving connections between said fuel feeding members including means automatically making andi-'breaking connection therebetween intermediate the limits of notion of the secondary fuel feeding mem- 8. In an automatic Stoker, a main fuel feedinginmber, a secondary fuel feeding member, and driving connections between saidfuel feeding members including trip mechanism for automatically breaking con- 2. In an automatic stoker, a series of alnection between the fuel feeding members intermediate the limits of movement of the secondary fuel feeding member.

tvvyers comprising a main fuel-feeding.

member for each retort, a secondary uelfeeding member disposed in each retort, and means for imparting translatory and oscillating motion to said secondary fuel-feeding member.

10. In an automatic Stoker, a series of twyers successively differing in elevation from a medial fore and aft line of the furnace, fuel retorts or troughs on both sides of said medial line, and lmeans for feeding fuelvthrough said retorts or troughs to said tvvyers comprising a main fuel-feeding member foreach retort, a plurality of secondary fuel-feeding members disposed in each retort, and mechanism for imparting translatory and oscillating motion to said secondary fuel-feeding members.

11. In van automatic stoker, a series of tivyers successively differing inv elevation from a medial fore and aft line of the furnace, fuel retorts or troughs on both sides of said medial line, reciprocating means for feeding fuel through said retorts to saidA tivyers comprising a main fuel-feeding member at thevforward end of each retort, a supporting member operatively connected with the main fuel-feeding member and disposed withinihe retort, a secondary fuelfeeding member pivotally connected with said supporting member, and means for moving said secondary fuel member about its pivot during movement or the supporting member.

- 12. In anl automatic Stoker, a series of tivyers successively differing in elevation from a medial fore and aft line of the furnace, fuel retorts or troughs on both sides of said medial line, and means for feeding fuel through said retorts to said twyers comprising a main fuel-feeding member at the forward end-of each retort, secondary fuel,- feeding members Within each retort and operatively connected With said main fuelfeeding ineinber, and means for impartingvertical oscillating` movement to said secondary fuel-feeding members.

13. In an automatic stokei", aseries of t\vyers successively varying in elevation from a medial fore and aft line of the furnace, fuel retorts or' troughs on both sides of said medial line, means for feeding` fuel through said retorts to said t-wyers comprising a main fuel-feeding member at the for- Ward end of each retort, a reciprocating member Within each retort forming 'tl/1e bottom thereof and operatively connected with the main fuel-feeding member` secondary fuel-feeding members pivotally connected With said reciprocating member` and means for oscillating successive secondary fuel- -feeding members in opposite directions.

14. In an automatic Stoker, a series of twyers decreasingin elevation from a medial fore and aft line of the furnace, fuel retorts or troughs on both sides of said medial line,

rsaid tvvyers and retorts providing a fuel bed support inclined from both sides of thel furnace, grates at the bottom of said inclined fuel bed support, means for feeding fuel through said retorts to the fuel bed, movable refuse receiving means at the bottom of said fuel bed support and grates, and reciprocating means for crushing'and ejecting refuse over said movable receiving means.

15. In an automatic Stoker, aseries of alternating twyers and fuel lretorts or troughs, arranged-.to provide a fuel bed support, means for feeding fuel through said retorts to the. fuel bedcomprising amain fuelfeeding member at the forward end of each retort, a reciprocating member within each retort, secondary fuel-feeding members pivotally connected with said reciprocating member, and means for alternately'oscillating successive secondary fuel-feeding members.

16. In an automatic Stoker, a series of alternating twyers and retorts or troughs, a main fuel-feeding member for each retort, a secondary fuel-feeding member disposed in each retort, and means for imparting trans-y latory and oscillating motion .to said second` ary fuel-feeding member.

17. In an automatic Stoker, a series of alternating tWyers and fuel retorts or troughs arranged to `provide a `fuel bed support, means for feeding fuel through each of said retorts to the fuelv bed comprising a fuelfeeding. ram for each retort'and a plurality of fuel-feeding members pivotally mounted side by side in each retort, and means supplying a combustion supporting fluid to the fuel bedsupport.

18. In an automatic Stoker, a. series of tivyers and retorts or troughs arranged to provide a fuel bed support, and means for feeding fuel through said retorts to the fuel bed comprising a main fuel-feeding member for each retort and a set of compound pushers in each retort, each compound pusher comprising a pair` of-secondary fuel-feeding members pivotally inounted side by side in the retort, and means for oscillating said loo '.members, and' means for oscillating the means for feeding-fuel through saidretorts to said fuel bed comprisinga main fuelfeeding member ,for each retort, a set of conipound pushers disposed ineach retort, each compound pusherA comprisingy a Apair. .of

pivotally mounted secondary fuel-feeding members of each pair in opp'osite direction.

i 20. In an automatic stoker, a series of alternating tWye-rs and fuel retorts or troughs) arranged vto provide 'a fuel bed support,

means for supplying a'combustion-supporting fluid to the fuel bed, means for feeding fuel through'said retorts to said fuel bed support comprising amainl fuel-feeding member for each retort, a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in each retort,

s aid compound4 pushers eachn comprising a plurality of pivotedfsecondary fuel-feeding members, and means for oscillating successive pivoted members of each pusher in op-y positedirections.

' 21. In an automatic stoker, a series of alternating twyers and retorts,.a main fuelfeeding member for each retort, a set of compound pushers disposed side by side inieaeh retort, each compound pusher comprising a plurality of pivoted fuel-feeding members, and means for oscillating the corresponding members of "said pushers in opposite directions.

22. In an automatic stoker, a. series'of alternating twyers and fuel retorts or troughs arranged to provide a fuel bed support, means for feeding fuel through said retorts to the fuel bed comprising a main fuel-feeding member for each retort and a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in each .retort, each compound pusher comprising a plurality 0f pivoted fuel-feeding members,

means for oscillating successive fuel-feeding i members of each pusher in opposite directions, and means providing for relative adjustment. of the strokes of the main fuelfeeding member andI said'conipound pushers.

23. In an automatic Stoker, a`series of twyers and retorts or troughs .arranged to provide a fuel bed support, and means for feeding fuel through said retortsto the fuel i bed comprising a main fuel-feeding meinber for each` retortA and a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in each retort, said compound pushers each including a plurality of independent movable elements,

and means for moving the laterally adjacent elements ofsaid compound pushers in opposite directions.

24. In an automatic Stoker, a fuel retort or trough, a fuel-feeding member piv'otally Amounted in said retort, means for impart-- ing translatory movement to said fuel-feeding member, and means for oscillating the fuel feeding member during its translatory movement.

.25.` In an automatic4 stoker,.'a. fuel retort or trough, a plurality of fuel-feeding mem- 'bers pivotally'mounted side -by side ii'i ,the .-retort, and means for' oscillatingl the adnt fuel-feeding members in opposite directions. Y

26. In an automatic Stoker, afuel retort or trough, a plurality of pivoted fuel-feed- Vhiiigimembers in the retort, means for imparting translatory movement to said fuel #feeding members, and means for oscillating the Vsuccessive fuel-feeding members in,

opposite directions during their translatory movement. g v i 27. Iii-anlautomatic Stoker,y a fuel retort ortrough, a 'set of compound `pushers disposed-side by side iii-.the retort, and means 'for moving, the adjacent elements of said compound pushers vertically in opposite directions.` v 4 `28. In an automatic Stoker, a fuel retort or trough, a set of compound pushers disposed side by side insaid retort or trough,

means for imparting translatory movement to said compound pushers, and means ,for moving the successive elements of each pusher in opposite directions during translatory movement of the latter, said means being adapted to move laterallyadjacent elementsof said 4pushers in opposite directions.

29. Inan automaticstoker, aA fuel retort or trough, twyers at the sides of said retort vor trough, a main fuel feeding member for the retort and a set of compound pushers in said retort operatively connected with 'said main fuel feeding member, and having their longitudinal axes disposed in dif- 31. In an automatic stoker, a fuel retort or trough, a fuel-feeding ram for said retort, a set of compound pushers in the retort having theirlongitudinal axes in different vertical planes, and means for adjusting the strokes of said pushers with re-I r spect to the fuel feeding4 ram,

32. Iii an automatic Stoker, al fuel retort or trough, vtvvyers at the sides of said retort or'. trough, af fuel feeding ram for the retort, a secondary fuel feeding member in said retort, means connecting said ram with the secondary fuel feeding member for imparting translatory movement to the latter,

`- for imparting translatory movement to said f and means imparting vertical movement to lmeans connecting said ram withl the comtlie latpound pushers for reciprocatin ter, and means for adjusting t e strokes of said pushers with respect to the fuel feed ing ram.

34. In an automatic stoker, a fuel retort or trough, a fuel feeding member in saidretort, means for imparting translatory movement to the fuel feeding member, and

-means for moving said member vertically during its translatory movement.

` 35. In an automatic Stoker, a fuel retort or trou-gh, a compound pusher in said retort and comprising' a plurality of vertically movable fuel-feeding elements, and means compound pusher.

36. In an automatic Stoker, a fuel retort or trough, a set ofcompound pushers dis-1 posed side b`y side in said retort and each comprising a plurality o-f vertically movable fuel feeding elements, means for imparting translatory movement to the compound pushers, and means for varying the fuel feeding element, and a grate strokes of said compound pushers.

37. In an automatic stoker, a fuel retort or trough, a compound pusher in said retort and comprising a plurality of vertically movable fuel feeding elements having pro# gressively decreasing feeding capacity toward the rear of the furnace, and means for imparting translatory movement to said' I compound pushers.

4Bt-In an automatic Stoker, a fuel retort or trough, a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in said retort and each including a vertically movable' secondary arranged adjacent to said retort. j

39. In an automatic Stoker, a fuel retort or trough, a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in said retort and each vincluding a., vertically movable secondary fuel feeding element, and a Crusher arranged adjacent to said retort.

40. In an automatic Stoker, a fuel retort or trough, a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in-said retort and each including a vertically movable secondary fuel feeding element, a refuse collecting and receiving device arranged adjacent to said retort, and a refuse crushing device adapted to eject the refuse over said collecting and receiving device. l

41. In an automatic stoker, a series of alternating twyers and fuel retorts or troughs,

a set of compound pushers disposed side by side in each retort and each including a vertically movable fuel feeding element, and means for imparting translatory movement to said compound pushers.

42. In anl automatic stoker, a fuel feeding member, a driving member, and means imparting uninterrupted motion in one direction to the fuel feeding member from said driving member and imparting intermittent motion in the opposite direction to said fuel feeding member from the driving member,

said means including devices automatically connecting said members and disconnectin the same for a predetermined interval interlmediate the limits of movement of the fuel feeding member.

43. In an automatic stoker, a driving member, a fuel feeding member, and connections between the driving member and the fuel feeding member including tripmechanisiny` for breaking connection between said driving member and the fuel feeding member intermediate the limits of movement of the latter.

44. In an automatic Stoker, a fuel retort or trough, a'driving member, a fuel-feeding memberdriven by said driving member, a device pivoted on said driven member and having an arm extending therefrom, a yield able trip or detent pivoted on said device for connecting the driven and driving members on movement of the latter in one direction, said trip being depressed by the driving member in its opposite movement, and a guide terminating at a point between the limits of movement of the driven member,

said arm having intermittent engagement with said guide during reciprocatin of the fuel-feeding member.

i. 45. -In an automatic stoker, a pusher bar or plate, means for imparting translatory movement to saidbar or plate, a ca m, a fuelfeeding element pivoted on the pusher bar or late, and a member secured to 4said fuelfeein element and engaging said cam.

46. n an automatic Stoker, a pusher bar or plate, means for 'imparting translatory movement to saidfbar or plate, two oppositely curved cams, two fuel-feeding ele-.

ments pivoted on said pusher bar or plate, and members secured to s aideleinents and engaging said cams.

47. In .an automatic Stoker, al pusher bar oi' plate, means forV imparting translatory movement to said bar or plate, aplurality of cams, a pluralit of fuel-feeding elements pivoted along sai bar or plate, and members secured to said fuelfeeding elements and engaging said cams.

48.- In an automatic stoker, a pusher bar or plate, means for imparting translatory movement to the bar or plate, a pair offuelfeeding elements pivoted side by side on said bai` or plate, and means for oscillating late, ami means for oscillating the adjaent said elements in opposite directionsv during llljfeedlllg elements 111 OPPOSlte dllectmns their translatory movement. durmg their translatory movements. 10 49. In au automatic Stoker, a pusher bar tst}m0ny`where0f I have Signed thlS 5 or plate, means for imparting translatory Speelfication. movement to the bar or plate, pairs of fuelfeeding. elements pivoted along said banor v MAURICE RATEL. 

